China Party Congress: Xi Jinping defends zero-Covid as China party congress opens

China's President Xi Jinping has been defending his controversial zero Covid strategy as a historic Communist Party congress kicks off in Beijing.

In a break in decades-long tradition, delegates are likely to hand Xi a third term as party chief.

Zero-Covid was an "all out people's war to stop the spread of the virus", he said.

The policy has saved lives, but also exacted a punishing toll on the Chinese people and economy.

There is increasing public fatigue and anger over lockdowns and travel restrictions.

China had "protected people's health and security to the greatest extent possible", Xi said.

Xi also addressed the issue of Taiwan - which China claims as part of its territory. Self-governing Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the mainland.

China had "demonstrated resolve and ability to safeguard China's sovereignty… and to oppose Taiwan "independence", he said to applause from delegates.

A third term as leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would pave the way for him to become the most powerful leader since Mao Zedong.

About 2300 delegates are meeting to elect party leaders and debate key policies.

Amid the state fervour, Beijing has come under strict security measures and travel restrictions. It has sparked frustration in the city with a rare and dramatic public protest on Thursday criticising Xi and zero Covid.

Over the course of the congress, delegates also expected to elect various leaders including the Politburo Standing Committee - China's equivalent of a presidential cabinet - who will present themselves to waiting media during the congress.

In the past, the twice-a-decade congress was seen as a chance for leaders to promote their supporters, as they vied to increase the power of their factions within the party.

But observers say these days there appears to be only one faction at the 20th Party Congress - that of Xi.

In a clear sign of this consolidation of power, top Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders released a communiqué days earlier endorsing him as "the core" of the party and leadership. They also called for the party to unite even more closely behind him.

Xi currently holds the three most powerful positions in China - general secretary of the CCP, chairman of the country's armed forces and president. He is expected to renew his term for the first two titles at the congress.

The CCP does not set any term limits. But no leader besides Mao, the founder of communist China, has ever served a third term.

The presidency also used to have a two-term limit in the country's constitution, put in place by reformer Deng Xiaoping to prevent the rise of a Mao-like figure.

But Xi has managed to eliminate this requirement: in 2018 China's rubber-stamp parliament abolished the rule, effectively allowing him to remain president for as long as he likes.

Since taking power in 2012, Xi has led China on a path that has been equal parts ambitious and authoritarian.

He has pushed for "a great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation", which saw him pursuing economic reform, reducing pollution and alleviating poverty.

He has also launched an anti-corruption campaign - which many saw as a way for him to rid his political enemies - as well as crackdowns on the Uyghurs in Xinjiang and pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.

But Xi continues to face a multitude of challenges, such as youth unemployment, a slowing economy and the ongoing property crisis - and of course zero-Covid.

"The question is whether during the congress we may see some statement saying, 'We've done well, we can move away from that now'," said Professor Rosemary Foot of Oxford University.

"The idea that the party has achieved victory and controlled the virus, that is an important message to send domestically and internationally."

But she said all signs currently point to a likely continuation of the policy.

Many will also be watching the congress to see if there will be any alteration to Beijing's foreign policy, especially towards the world's other superpower, the US.

Xi's attempts to expand China's influence abroad through the One Belt One Road programme and claims in the South China Sea, as well as its support of Russia in the Ukraine war, have raised tensions with the US and other countries.

Under his direction China has also taken a more assertive position on Taiwan, a self-ruled island which Beijing views as part of its territory.

With Xi remaining at the helm all these will continue to be core interests - though some experts believe he may temper China's approach in some aspects to pursue better trade relations with the US and regional partners.

"The CCP's political legitimacy lies in socioeconomic delivery," said Dr Collin Koh of Singapore's S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

"The average Chinese citizen will feel that things are not going very well, so there's a need to reinvigorate the kind of growth China has been more used to in recent decades

-BBC